The best time to use decoys for deer hunting is pre-rut and rut. Two to three weeks before the rut or peak breeding hits in an area is a great time. During these weeks, bucks are starting to break up out of their bachelor groups as they begin to establish their home ranges.
Is it better to use a buck or doe decoy?
“Buck or doe — which decoy works the best?” This is a question I get asked a lot. The answer is easy — “both of them work!” The very best decoy set-up is a buck with a doe. At this time of the year, it’s November here in the Midwest, a buck, which does not have a doe, cannot stand it when he spots a buck getting lucky.
Which way should a doe decoy face?
If you’re using a doe decoy, always face it away from you. Again, you can angle it, but make sure it’s facing away from your stand. Bucks coming in to doe decoys are most interested in the hind end of the doe.
Should I use a doe decoy during rut?
There’s no doubt a deer decoy works best during the whitetail rut. Playing on a buck’s robot-like trance as he is roaming forests and fields, a decoy not only attracts deer, but also helps set up a shot, makes calls and scents more attractive, and adds a layer of excitement to an already exciting time.
Can I use a deer target as a decoy?
Yes, they work fine. I’ve used mine in the past, but this year I bought the carry-lite decoy.
Where do you put a deer decoy?
Decoys work best when set up in areas of high deer travel. Before and after the rut, set them on the edges of feed fields, along major trails or near bedding areas. During the rut, set them up near scrape or rub lines, but use caution near bedding areas to avoid polluting the area with your own scent, sight or sound.
Do deer decoys work post rut?
Post-Rut – Just the Doe
A feeding or standing doe deer decoy on a food source will be enough to attract the buck, but you’ll want to add in some estrous doe urine for good measure. Add in an estrous doe bleat to really bring in the big guns.
What scent attracts deer the most?
Doe urine in the liquid form is probably the most common attractant scent used by deer hunters. It is good for calming deer’s nerves and piquing their curiosity, since it simulates a new deer in the area. Since it is a common smell in the woods, it very seldom scares deer—bucks or does.
Does peanut butter attract deer?
Deer love peanut butter, so it is an excellent bait. You can use peanut butter alone or in a mixture to lure deer into an area for hunting or just to enjoy watching them. Peanut butter is much cheaper than most commercial deer attractants and works as well or better.
How do you use a deer decoy during the rut?
When a buck approaches a decoy, it wants to scent check the deer and also prefers to look at its eyes. So, you always want to face the decoy toward your stand, with the wind blowing directly from your decoy toward your stand. It is equally important to set the decoy 25-30 yards from the stand.
Do decoys spook deer?
Decoys can work for sure. But they can also spook deer when used incorrectly. Before learning how to use a decoy, you need to learn how not to use. Don’t use decoys in feeding fields during the afternoon.
Where are Dave Smith decoys made?
#DSDecoys are manufactured by a group of die-hard hunters out of a small shop in Lebanon, Oregon. Realism,quality and customer service are ALWAYS #1! We simply refuse to cut corners in our manufacturing process and every sale is backed by friendly, reliable customer service.
